Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and image processing method

Abstract

There is provided an image processing apparatus. A memory includes a first storage area and a second storage area. A transfer unit transfers a first LUT to the first storage area and transfers a second LUT to the second storage area. An image processing unit alternately uses the first LUT and the second LUT stored in the memory to sequentially perform an image process on a plurality of images. The transfer unit updates the first LUT within a period from a time when the first LUT is used by the image processing unit to a time when the first LUT is used for the next time and updates the second LUT within a period from a time when the second LUT is used by the image processing unit to a time when the second LUT is used for the next time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image processing apparatus comprising:
 a memory including a first storage area and a second storage area; and   at least one processor and/or circuit configured to function as following units:
 a transfer unit configured to transfer a first LUT to the first storage area and transfer a second LUT to the second storage area; and 
 an image processing unit configured to alternately use the first LUT and the second LUT stored in the memory to sequentially perform an image process on a plurality of images, 
   wherein the transfer unit updates the first LUT within a period from a time when the first LUT is used by the image processing unit to a time when the first LUT is used for the next time and updates the second LUT within a period from a time when the second LUT is used by the image processing unit to a time when the second LUT is used for the next time.   
     
     
         2 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one processor and/or circuit is further configured to function as a selection unit configured to select a first operation mode or a second operation mode,   in a case where the first operation mode is selected:
 the transfer unit transfers the first LUT to the first storage area and transfers the second LUT to the second storage area; 
 the image processing unit alternately uses the first LUT and the second LUT stored in the memory to sequentially perform the image process on the plurality of images; and 
 the transfer unit updates the first LUT within the period from the time when the first LUT is used by the image processing unit to the time when the first LUT is used for the next time and updates the second LUT within the period from the time when the second LUT is used by the image processing unit to the time when the second LUT is used for the next time, and 
   in a case where the second operation mode is selected:
 the transfer unit transfers a third LUT with grid points larger in number than grid points of the first LUT and the second LUT, to an extended area including the first storage area and the second storage area; and 
 the image processing unit uses the third LUT to sequentially perform an image process on the plurality of images. 
   
     
     
         3 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the image processing unit performs the image process at periodic timings,   the at least one processor and/or circuit is further configured to function as a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the transfer unit can update the first LUT during a period in which the image process is not performed between two successive timings of the periodic timings,   in a case where the first LUT cannot be updated during the period in which the image process is not performed:
 the transfer unit transfers the first LUT to the first storage area and transfers the second LUT to the second storage area; 
 the image processing unit alternately uses the first LUT and the second LUT stored in the memory to sequentially perform the image process on the plurality of images; and 
 the transfer unit updates the first LUT within the period from the time when the first LUT is used by the image processing unit to the time when the first LUT is used for the next time and updates the second LUT within the period from the time when the second LUT is used by the image processing unit to the time when the second LUT is used for the next time, and 
   in a case where the first LUT can be updated during the period in which the image process is not performed:
 the image processing unit uses the first LUT to sequentially perform the image process on the plurality of images; and 
 the transfer unit updates the first LUT during the period in which the image process is not performed. 
   
     
     
         4 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor and/or circuit is further configured to function as a control unit configured to control to stop power supply to the second storage area in a case where the first LUT can be updated during the period in which the image process is not performed. 
     
     
         5 . An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 the image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   an image sensor configured to generate a moving image including the plurality of images.   
     
     
         6 . An image processing apparatus comprising:
 a memory including a plurality of storage areas; and   at least one processor and/or circuit configured to function as following units:
 a transfer unit configured to transfer an LUT to each of the plurality of storage areas; and 
 an image processing unit configured to use the LUT stored in any of the plurality of storage areas to sequentially perform an image process on the plurality of images, the image processing unit using LUTs stored in different storage areas with respect to two images to be sequentially processed, 
   wherein with respect to each of the plurality of storage areas, the transfer unit updates the LUT stored in the storage area within a period from a time when the LUT stored in the storage area is used by the image processing unit to a time when the LUT is used for the next time.   
     
     
         7 . An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus having a memory including a first storage area and a second storage area, the method comprising:
 transferring a first LUT to the first storage area and transferring a second LUT to the second storage area;   alternately using the first LUT and the second LUT stored in the memory to sequentially perform an image process on a plurality of images; and   updating the first LUT within a period from a time when the first LUT is used for the image process to a time when the first LUT is used for the next time and updating the second LUT within a period from a time when the second LUT is used for the image process to a time when the second LUT is used for the next time.   
     
     
         8 . An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus having a memory including a plurality of storage areas, the method comprising:
 transferring an LUT to each of the plurality of storage areas;   using the LUT stored in any of the plurality of storage areas to sequentially perform an image process on the plurality of images, wherein LUTs stored in different storage areas are used with respect to two images to be sequentially processed; and   with respect to each of the plurality of storage areas, updating the LUT stored in the storage area within a period from a time when the LUT stored in the storage area is used for the image process to a time when the LUT is used for the next time.